Cheap Paper Shredder Alternatives
We’ve gone through more trade and office paper shredding than I care to admit. They started adding costs to the machines they gave – and they gave too quickly, no matter what kind of shred we bought, no matter what the price.
I also hate lacinia as a pain. I would carefully try to dispose of the shredded paper, but some pieces would fall to the floor, adding to the maker’s trouble. I needed cheap paper work, but I didn’t know where to find one.
Finally I was able to find some options. Some have worked great and others are much worse than electric litter. Here is a rundown of my experiences with cheap paper shredder options:
First I tried to shred the paper with scissors.
A company known to use these shears has a catchy name, Shredsors, namely a combination of shredder and scissors. Everything costs. $20.39, bargain price. I was hoping it would work, but I knew better. How on earth would I expect scissors to save me time or energy when it comes to shredding? Yes, the price was right but I found myself spending extra time going through all the cut boards that protected us from identity theft.
At first I tried to make the best of it by completely denying that this item was quite useless. I would sit in front of the television, with our old books and scissors hanging over the waste basket. In trade, I would tear up the papers. In Shredsors he published small charts but hardly cut two or three pages at a time. If I tried to get through a thicker pile, I would have to use so much force that my hands would work. It was tedious and time-consuming work.
Bottom line: Shredsors paper cutting scissors were indeed cheap paper shre rather altering – but not worth the effort.
Unless it’s possible to burn all the extra calories while you’re cutting through the paper, avoid the scissors.
Then I went with the Kespon Plus ID Squad Stamp (large size
For those unfamiliar with this product, it can be found on Amazon and other sites. The pictures shown are from Plus ID Guard Brands but mine had brand name Kespon in it. The pad was already inked and ready for use. The price was a very budget-friendly $19.99. All I did was put a note on the credit card statement or other paper in which the private info was dropped. I wanted my name completely covered in ink, my credit card number and everything else erased from public view.
It worked great, but had two minor issues. It is not quickly boiled down to glossy paper, the type used in magazines and certain types of letters. However, I did not find a major reason. As long as I opened the mail regularly and didn’t pile it up, I could quickly cover whatever identity risk was preferred. Another asset? Kespon Plus ID Guard Stamp was easy to keep on the desk out of sight. Unlike the electric shock, this was a space saving option.
The code ink is supposed to last for 1000 stamp attempts, but I have found it to last much longer than that. However, the ink pads need to be replaced at some point, although I can buy 10 packs. Prices for a 10 pack vary and can often be found on sale.
Bottom line: The Kespon Plus ID Stamp Set is a great and cheap paper shredder alternative for my needs
For those who receive electronic gifts that pose an identity risk, this may not be a great choice. But I like the convenience and also how little space this product requires, especially when compared to a regular electric paper shredder. In the time it will (eventually) take me to get through 11,000 pieces of paper, I’ll still be less bothered than if I cleaned regular aluminum, plus organizing all those tiny pieces of paper.
Finally, I tried a 3 in 1 handheld paper shredder
Does such a product actually exist? So it does, not one demanding electricity. It costs $27.00, can be found at Amazon and also through special home shopping television channels. I bought it because I was curious and also because it not only cuts paper but also rips CDs and old credit cards. To run it, the user simply rings the handle.
I felt excellent about this product. Because it does not use electricity, it saves power and is certainly quieter than the average electric paper shredder. But it didn’t work well on CD or credit, so it was really limited to one use. When I tried to shred CDs or credit card, the handle is so hard to crank that I would worry about breaking the shredder if I tried to cut through those things. However, it did excellent paper work and could be perfect for a large home office where users were instructed to use products that are Eco-friendly. This is definitely off grid power!
Bottom line: Or a cheap paper shredder alternative, the 3 in 1 Manual Paper Shredder is eco-friendly, but not great for disposing of CDs or credit cards.
My favorite product was the Kespon Plus ID Squad Stamp (but by a slight margin over the 3 in 1 Paper Shredder. I didn’t include the favorite method used by relative anonymous who actually takes time to put the paper in He will tear it into small pieces and soak it in a container of water. Then he takes the paper and turns it into a paper machine I’m leaning towards achieving skills and techniques, but for now I’ll stick with the stamp and if it gets old, I’ll start looking for other choices!
